Scent of success at Bahrain show

Manama, February 24, 2008

Scented gardens from Bahrain and the globe drew thousands of visitors to Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show the country's premier horticultural show on the last day.

The show is held at the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority under the theme Scented Gardens.

The three-day event is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and support of his wife Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women.

Ninety local and international exhibitors are at the show, which features plants, flowers and trees from Bahrain and around the world.

Exhibitors include retailers and manufacturers of floriculture, landscaping and gardening equipment, as well as agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture and environmental research organisations, embassies and regional farmers.

Scented gardens are huge attraction at the show and the one created by the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry is drawing crowds.

Ministry's finance and human resources director Hassan Al Hussain said the garden had been created as an education tool about Bahrain's plants and to give people ideas and tips for their garden.

"We are teaching them how they can merge the old traditional plants with the new."

The ministry is also giving free saplings to the public at the show.

"The exhibition has been very successful and we have had many people wanting to know about our plants and how to grow them," said the expert.

Education Ministry's intermediate school education specialist Mona Abdul Mohsin said the show had drawn a huge number of visitors and their stand had received up to 20 schools each day.

The ministry's stand features two small scented gardens, a fountain and a computerised information area where children can learn more about scented plants and the environment.

"Our main message was to teach students about plants and flowers and how they can grow them and arrange flowers," said Ms Abdul Mohsin.

Also reaching out to children is the Bahrain Garden Club, which is staging its 43rd Annual Amateur Flower and Vegetable Show.

The club's show features various adult and children competitions including the best garden, open flower, vegetable and fruit, experimental gardening and flower and vegetable arrangement.

Another highlight of the show is Riffa Views' 600sqm suq-style stand that showcases the work of 20 local artists and craftsmen. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of carpet weaving, pottery, basket weaving, jewellery making, abaya embroidery, metal sculpting and calligraphy.

The show is organised by Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority. It is supported by various ministries including Industry and Commerce, Municipalities and Agriculture, Information, Interior, Foreign Affairs and Electricity and Water, and Giardina Zurich as the international strategic marketing partner.-TradeArabia News Service